Thimble



Mitch 15, 1927.

THIMBLE Filed April 28. "1926 INVENTOR Cecil P. Cavlkins ATTORNE 5 Patented Mar. 15, 1927.

V. "UNITED T TES misses PATENT'FiFIlQE, r

.CECILP..CA'UI1KINS,OF lvnwnoivno v. CONNECTICUT." I

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uApp lication filedApri1-28, 1926. Serial-1V0. 105g057.

This invention relates tocertainnewwand useful improvements in thimb-les and its ob ject is to provide a simple device for facihg tating hand sewing through heavy materials. 3

More specifically, its object to provide a thimble which may be used in the ordinary manner for pushing a needle and which may also be used for pulling the needle. To this end I have provided on the side of a thimble of usual form, a needle v gripping device which comprises a pair of characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofone of my novel thimbles on a hand, illustrating the manner in which it is used;

Fig. 2 is an elevation onalarger scale,

. of the thimble shown in Fig. 1.;

Fig. 3 is a similar elevation at right angles to the view shown 1n Fig. 2,;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 4- .1: of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan View, the section being taken on line 55 of Fig. 2.

The thimble comprises the usual body portion 10 with at least a part of itsouter surface roughened as at 11, and a rim or fillet 12.

20 is an upper lug which extends downwardly from the rim 12 and which forms a beveled lip 21 overhanging the outer surface of the body 10. 22 is a lower lug projecting from the body 10 at a point offset from the lug 20 and forming a beveled lip 23 which overhangs the outer surface of the body 10. The lips 21 and 23 are par- .allel and at an oblique angle to the axis of the thimble, and are oppositely beveled.

When sewing heavy material such as sail cloth, the needle may be pushed into the cloth, but it is diflicult to pullit through.

Wheh this device is used the needle is.

pushed part way throughfthe clothand as it is held between the thimble and thumb it is pushed 'or slid along the thimble by the thumb over the lower lug 22 and into the space between'the lugs. The thumb is then moved along the needle slightly in advance 7 of the lugs and'a sufiicient pressure is exerted on the side of the needle to tend to tilt the needle in relation'to the lugs, thereby Wedging the needle into the beveled overhanging lips of the lugs. Thus inan easy and natural position of the fingers and thumb, the needle is securely gripped by the thimbleso that it may be pulled through the cloth. This tilting movement at the same time makes the thimble engage the finger more firmly and enables the operator to pull the needle with considerable force. After. the needle is through the cloth and the pull on it isreleased,'it is free to adjust its position relative to the lips 21, 23 and will release itself. Thus the operation of sewing is greatly facilitated.

The lugs aresmall and not unsightly nor in the way when not used, so this construction in no way interferes with the ordinary use of the thimble with such light material 35 that the gripping device is not needed.

The angle of the lips shown in the drawings is that provided for right hand users and it is to be understood that this angle should be inclined in the opposite direction for left handed people.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A thimble having a body and a pair of. spaced rigid lugs having parallel lips overhanging the outer surface of thebody and arranged to engage a needle. I

2. A thimble having a body and a pair of spaced lugs having oppositely beveled parallel lips overhanging the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage a needle.

3. A thimble having a body of circular cross-section and a pair of spaced lugs having oppositely beveled parallel lips inclined to the axis of the body overhanging the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage a needle.

4. A thimble having a body of circular cross-section and a pair of spaced rigid lugs relatively ofiset, having oppositely beveled parallel lips inclined to the axis of the body overhanging the outer surfaceof the body and arranged to engage a needle.

a pair of spaced rigid lugs near the open end I of the body, said lugs having parallel lips overhanging the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage a needle.

6. A thimble having an open-ended body, a' pair of spaced lugs near the open end of the body, said lugs having oppositely beveled parallel lips overhanging the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage a needle. I

7. A thimble having an open-ended body of circular cross-section, a pair of spaced rigidlugs relatively offset near the open end of the body, said lugs having oppositely beveled parallel lips inclined to the axis of the body overhanging the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage a needle.

8. A thiInble having an open-ended body of circular cross-section, a rim around the open end of the body projecting annularly from the outer surface of the body, an upg per lug depending from said rim, a lower lug relatively oifset from the upper lug, said lugs having oppositely beveled parallel lips inclined to the axis of the body, overhanging the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage a needle.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12 day of April, 1926.

' CECIL P. CAULKINS. 

